SWBOCES students shine at SkillsUSA Regionals

Students from a range of Southern Westchester BOCES Career Services programs excelled at the SkillsUSA Regional competition Feb. 11 at Orange-Ulster BOCES.

students smile while accepting awards

The winners were:

Ariel Novominski - 1st Place, Related Technical Math

Samantha Perkaj, 1st Place, Job interview

Chayce Hewitt - 2nd Place, Advertising & Design 

Shantel Ximines - 3rd place, Cosmetology

Alejandro Valdovinos - 3rd Place, Extemporaneous Speaking

Alexis Madrigal - 3rd Place, Job Skill Demo 

student poses in red jacket

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The organization provides educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education programs like those offered at Southern Westchester BOCES Careers Campus in Valhalla.

"Our students continue to excel and make us proud when matched up against their peers from across the region and statewide," Teacher and SkillsUSA Advisor Ray Sulla said. "They demonstrate that they are able to perform in a real-world setting and learn that they can hold their own in their chosen field of study. That's a valuable lesson."

Director of Career Services Dahlia Jackson congratulated all of the students who participated. Their performance is indicative of the caliber of the entire student body on the Valhalla campus, she said, and it reflects the high quality instruction and relevant coursework teachers provide.

The NYS SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championships will take place April 26-28 in Syracuse. Congratulations to all the competitors.

 chef at workstudents accept awards on stagestudent on stage for awards